The rise & growth of e-commerce has been one of the most significant trends of the past decade, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, as more people have turned to online shopping to avoid in-person contact, and our beloved high street stores have begun to close. The convenience of e-commerce, coupled with its safety and convenience, has made it a popular choice for consumers.
Pre-pandemic, the UK parcel volume grew by an average of 8% YoY – according to Pitney Bowes’ 2021 Parcel Shipping Index Report. In 2020, this growth rate rocketed up to 33%. Our in-house Parcel SafePlace statistics corroborate these figures: We saw substantial growth in our 2020 delivery volume of 52% YoY and further development of 33% in 2021. Over these two years, our average delivery volume per residential unit doubled from five to ten monthly parcels. These rapid growth statistics contextualised how much the pandemic has advanced our hunger for e-commerce. The next milestone on the horizon is likely to be 2026 – when forecasts suggest that the UK will see just over double the delivery volume seen in 2020, increasing from 4.2 billion to 8.5 billion deliveries. At this point, based on data we’ve gathered since 2017, we expect each residential unit to be taking delivery of 20 parcels per month through our Parcel SafePlace system.
In the future, e-commerce is expected to continue to flourish and evolve. The use of mobile devices for online shopping is likely only to increase, as well as the adoption of new technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality. In addition, e-commerce is expected to become more personalised as businesses use data and AI to tailor their offerings to individual consumers.
The rise of e-commerce will significantly impact buyers and parcel delivery services. For buyers, e-commerce provides greater convenience and access to a broader range of products. They will also need to become more comfortable with receiving deliveries, perhaps from multiple couriers daily, as delivery services grapple with the logistics of increased deliveries.
For the parcel delivery services, this means increased demand for their services. One of the critical challenges is the actual, safe delivery of the product, as consumers expect their purchases to arrive quickly and securely.
As more businesses move online and consumers become increasingly comfortable with online shopping, the demand for parcel deliveries will only increase. Delivery services will need to adapt to new technologies and methods of delivery, such as The Parcel SafePlace system. They will also need to become more efficient and cost-effective to keep up with the demand, rising costs & the implications of international issues, such as the ongoing Ukrainian war. Despite these challenges, the future of e-commerce and parcel deliveries looks bright.
There are, of course, some potential challenges to any delivery system. One of the most significant is security. If packages are left unattended, there is a risk that they could be stolen or damaged. This is why ensuring a designated secure location, such as the Parcel SafePlace system, is essential.
The Parcel SafePlace system uses innovative technology to deliver parcels from all couriers to a secure resident-facing parcel room. Residents retrieve their parcels by entering a unique code and have 24/7 access for complete convenience. For property management companies, Parcel SafePlace removes the hassle of managing thousands of parcels, letting them automate the entire process from acceptance to notification and collection.
The advantages of the Parcel SafePlace system are clear. It provides peace of mind for residents, knowing that their packages will be delivered securely and reliably at any time and they do not have to be present. For businesses, it can streamline the delivery process, reduce costs, improve resident relations and lower the cost of shipping. It can also help to reduce the environmental impact of delivery processes by reducing the need for multiple delivery attempts and minimising the use of packaging materials.
See how Parcel SafePlace could benefit you and your property here.
